Kyle Lafferty wants to take on the English this summer
Norwich City's Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty is touted with a move to Leeds United. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty wants to cause a Euro 2016 upset by beating England at next summer's finals.
The Northern Irish international's seven goals in qualifying fired his country to a first-ever appearance at the tournament, and Lafferty is not worried about landing the Three Lions ahead of Saturday's group stage draw.
'We wouldn't fear playing England,' said Lafferty, with Michael O'Neill's underdogs in pot four and England among the seeded teams.
'It would be great if we drew them as our top seeds. Think of all the hype that would surround that match.
'We would have nothing to lose going into that game – all the pressure would be on them.
'I know they won all 10 games in qualifying but I honestly don't believe they are as good a team as the one Northern Ireland beat back in 2005.
'That team contained the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. They were a top, top side.
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'But we beat them back then and I would love to be in a Northern Ireland side that beat them again in the finals. It would be magical.'
Lafferty's frustrations at club level have seen the 28-year-old touted with a loan move in the new year to get him in tip top shape for Euro 2016.
'I hope teams do underestimate us,' he said.
'We're not going to France for a holiday. We can shock teams out there. We've proven that during qualifying. We'll be taking a lot of fans with us and we'll be doing all we can to give them the biggest summer party possible and we will not settle for the group stage.'
